Glutathione and the response of malignant cells to chemotherapy

In the past, the role of glutathione (GSH) in the production of drug resistance was assumed to be limited to electrophilic agents such as the bifunctional alkylating agents and cisplatin. Recently, however, evidence has emerged that links GSH homeostasis with regulation of the multidrug-resistance-related protein and the control of apoptotic cell death. These findings open up new avenues for the discovery of drugs that augment anticancer agents already in use or that have cytotoxic potential in their own right.